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  Media device featuring synchronized playbackUSPTO Application #: 20060034581Title: Media device featuring synchronized playback Abstract: In a first embodiment, a packet, in response to which two or more media players begin playbacks of a piece of media content at a substantially same time, is output. In a second embodiment, a packet is received, and in response to the packet, a time at which to begin a playback of a piece of media content is determined. (end of abstract)
Agent: Haynes And Boone, LLP - Dallas, TX, US Inventors: David Konetski, William Allen Curtis USPTO Applicaton #: 20060034581 - Class: 386046000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Television Signal Processing For Dynamic Recording Or Reproducing, Processing Of Television Signal For Dynamic Recording Or Reproducing The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060034581. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND [0001] The description herein relates generally to media devices, and more particularly to networked media devices. [0002] As the value and use of information continue to increase, individuals and businesses seek additional ways to process and store information. One option available to users is information handling systems. An information handling system ("IHS") generally processes, compiles, stores, and/or communicates information or data for business, personal, or other purposes thereby allowing users to take advantage of the value of the information. Because technology and information handling needs and requirements vary between different users or applications, information handling systems may also vary regarding what information is handled, how the information is handled, how much information is processed, stored, or communicated, and how quickly and efficiently the information may be processed, stored, or communicated. The variations in information handling systems allow for information handling systems to be general or configured for a specific user or specific use such as financial transaction processing, airline reservations, enterprise data storage, or global communications. In addition, information handling systems may include a variety of hardware and software components that may be configured to process, store, and communicate information and may include one or more computer systems, data storage systems, and networking systems. [0003] IHSs are sometimes used to store and play a piece of digital media content (e.g., a piece of digital audio content such as a piece of content stored by MPEG Layer 3 ("MP3") files and wave format ("WAV") files). In one example, an IHS, functioning as a media server, stores one or more digital media files and outputs the files over a network to two or more digital media players (e.g., digital audio receiver ("DAR")), which, outputs (e.g., plays), digital content stored by such files, as analog signals. In such situation, each of the digital players may begin playing a single piece of digital content at different times, causing various problems including echo, beating, and and/or acoustic cancellation. SUMMARY [0004] In a first embodiment, a packet, in response to which two or more media players begin playbacks of a piece of media content at a substantially same time, is output. [0005] In a second embodiment, a packet is received, and in response to the packet, a time at which to begin a playback of a piece of media content is determined. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0006] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system according to the illustrative embodiment. [0007] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an information handling system that is representative of a media server of FIG. 1, according to the illustrative embodiment. [0008] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an information handling system that is representative of a media player of FIG. 1, according to the illustrative embodiment. [0009] FIG. 4 is a timing diagram illustrating various information associated with operations of the system 100 of FIG. 1, according to the illustrative embodiment. [0010] FIG. 5 is a flow chart of operations of a process executed by a media player of FIG. 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0011] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system, indicated generally at 100, according to an illustrative embodiment. The system 100 includes a media server 105, media players (or media devices) 110 and 115, and a controller 120. Also, the system 100 includes a network, such as a Transport Control Protocol/Internet Protocol ("TCP/IP") network. In the illustrative embodiment, the network 125 is a wireless network (e.g., one of Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers ("IEEE") 802.11 series of networks). However, in at least one alternative embodiment, the network 125 is a wired network (e.g., a 10/100 Base T network). [0012] Each of the media server 105, the media players 110 and 115, and the controller 120 includes a network interface for communicating with the network 125 (e.g., outputting information to, and receiving information from, network 125), such as by transferring information (e.g., instructions, signals, data) between such media server, media players, controller, and the network 125. Accordingly, through the network 125, each of the media server 105, the media players 110 and 115, and the controller 120 communicates with one another. [0013] For clarity, FIG. 1 depicts only one media server 105, although the system 100 may include additional media servers which are substantially identical to one another. Similarly for clarity, FIG. 1 depicts only two media players 110 and 115, although the system 100 may include additional media players which are substantially identical to one another. Likewise for clarity, FIG. 1 depicts only one controller 120, although the system 100 may include additional controllers which are substantially identical to one another. In the discussions below, the media player 110 is a representative of the media players 110 and 115. [0014] Each of the media server 105, the media players 110 and 115, and the controller 120 is an information handling system ("IHS") for executing processes and performing operations (e.g., processing and communicating information) in response thereto, as discussed in more detail below (in connection with FIGS. 4 and 5). Each such IHS is formed by various electronic circuitry components. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 1, all such IHSs are coupled to one another. Accordingly, each of the media server 105, the media players 110 and 115, and the controller 120 operates within the network 125. [0015] For purposes of this disclosure, an IHS includes any instrumentality or aggregate of instrumentalities operable to compute, classify, process, transmit, receive, retrieve, originate, switch, store, display, manifest, detect, record, reproduce, handle, or utilize any form of information, intelligence, or data for business, scientific, control, or other purposes. Example of an IHS include, personal computer ("PC"), a network storage device, personal digital assistant ("PDA"), or any other suitable device with variations in size, shape, performance, functionality, and price. An IHS also includes other components such as, random access memory ("RAM"), one or more processing resources (e.g., central processing unit ("CPU")), hardware or software control logic, read only memory ("ROM"), other types of memory, one or more disk drives, one or more network interfaces, one or more input/output devices and/or one or more buses. [0016] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an IHS, indicated generally at 200, that is representative of the media server 105 according to the illustrative embodiment. The IHS 200 includes a processor 205 (e.g., an Intel Pentium series processor). An Intel Hub Architecture (IHA) chipset 210 provides the IHS 200 with graphics/memory controller hub functions and I/O functions. More specifically, the IHA chipset 210 acts as a host controller which communicates with a video controller 225 coupled thereto. A display device 230 is coupled to the video controller 225. [0017] The chipset 210 further acts as a controller for main memory 215 which is coupled thereto. The chipset 210 also acts as an input/output ("I/O") controller hub (ICH) which performs I/O functions. A USB controller 270 is coupled to chipset 210 so that devices such as a print device 275 can be connected to the chipset 110 and the processor 205. A system basic input-output system ("BIOS") 240 is coupled to chipset 210 as shown. The BIOS 240 is stored in CMOS or FLASH memory so that it is nonvolatile. [0018] A local area network ("LAN") controller 245, alternatively called a network interface controller ("NIC"), is coupled to the chipset 210 to facilitate connection of the IHS 200 to other IHSs via a network (e.g., the network 125). A media driver controller 250 is coupled to chipset 210 so that devices such as media drives 255 can be connected to the chipset 210 and the processor 205. Examples of the media devices 255 capable of being coupled to the media controller 250 include CD-ROM drives, DVD drives, hard disk drives and other fixed or removable media drives. An expansion bus 220, such as a PCI bus, PCI Express bus, serial advanced technology attachment ("SATA") bus or other bus is coupled to the chipset 110 as shown. The expansion bus 220 includes one or more expansion slots (not shown) for receiving expansion cards which provide the IHS 200 with additional functionality. [0019] Referring again to FIG. 1, the media server 105 stores one or more pieces of media content (e.g., pieces of digital media content) in its media drive (e.g., one or the media drives 255). In one example, the media server 105 stores such contents in MPEG Layer 3 ("MP3") file format. The media server 105 provides (e.g., outputs in response to a request) such pieces of media content to the media player 110, which receives the pieces of media content from the media server 105. In the illustrative embodiment, the media server 105 outputs the pieces of media content in response to a request received from the media player 110. In one example, the media player 110 plays a piece of media content by decoding the piece into one or more analog signals, and outputting the analog signals to one or more speakers. [0020] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the media player 110 of FIG. 1 according to the illustrative embodiment. An example of the media player 110 includes a digital audio receiver ("DAR"). In at least one embodiment, the media player 110 is embedded in another device (e.g., a consumer electronic device such as an alarm clock). In other embodiments, the media player 110 is portable device such as a hand held device. Continue reading... Full patent description for Media device featuring synchronized playback Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Media device featuring synchronized playback patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Media device featuring synchronized playback or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Waveguide apparatus and method for laser welding Next Patent Application: Media playback device Industry Class: Television signal processing for dynamic recording or reproducing ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Media device featuring synchronized playback patent info. 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